Government determined to ensure quality education in State-run schools, says Minister Veeranjaneya Swamy

Minister for Social Welfare Dola Sree Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy said Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and HRD Minister Nara Lokesh have been working relentlessly to ensure that students from economically disadvantaged sections are not deprived of quality education.

Minister for Social Welfare Dola Sree Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy on Wednesday said that the TDP-led coalition government determined to develop public education and improve the State-run schools on a par with private educational institutions.

Speaking at a function organised to present cash awards to students from Social Welfare schools and Tribal Gurukuls, who excelled in the SSC and Intermediate examinations, the Minister said this was the first time that cash incentives and appreciation certificates were being given to students for their achievements.

Mr. Swamy claimed that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and HRD Minister Nara Lokesh have been working relentlessly to ensure that students from economically disadvantaged sections are not deprived of quality education. He pointed out that funds to the tune of ₹143 crore were spent on repairs and improvement of infrastructure in welfare hostels. He said that the government was also mulling a proposal to increase the number of NEET coaching centres in the ensuing academic year to enable more number of students aim and secure seats in premiere institutions like IITs.

Minister for Women, Child and Tribal Welfare Gummadi Sandhya Rani said that it was a happy coincidence that the students were being felicitated on the death anniversary of Alluri Sitarama Raju. She said 315 SSC and Intermediate toppers were given mementos and certificates and among them 34 merit students received cash awards.

Cash prize ₹20,000 was given to the students who secured first rank, ₹15,000 to second rank holders and ₹10,000 to third rankers. Additionally, 36 staff members and teachers from the Social and Tribal Welfare Departments were honoured for their services. Ms. Sandhya Rani said she was proud of the fact that tribal students from across the state were achieving excellent results. “They are touching new academic heights, thanks to the facilities and financial assistance provided by the government,” she added.